MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) was presented with the Association of the United States Army’s (AUSA) 2025 Legislator of the Year Award.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from AUSA. Our national defense and security are built on a foundation of the people who serve, ensuring that they are the best equipped fighting force in the world, and that their families are taken care of so that they can focus on the mission at hand,” said Congressman Bishop. “With Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany, Georgia’s Second Congressional District is home to thousands of military families and veterans, so working on their behalf is not just a matter of principle, it is at the heart of our community.”

“Representatives John Carter and Sanford Bishop have long championed America’s Army and those who serve, and AUSA is delighted to recognize them as our 2025 Legislators of the Year,” said General (Retired) Bob Brown, President and CEO of AUSA. “Recognizing them was an easy choice. Their bipartisan leadership, steadfast commitment and unyielding efforts have made a lasting difference in the lives of soldiers, veterans and their families.”

AUSA’s Legislator of the Year award is presented to members of Congress who demonstrate exceptional commitment to the Army community and advance policies that strengthen the nation’s defense. Congressman Bishop received the award in recognition of his long-standing leadership on the House Appropriations Committee and his steadfast support for the Total Army including Regular Army, National Guard, Army Reserve, Army civilians, military families, survivors, caregivers, and veterans. Also receiving the 2025 AUSA Legislator of the Year Award is Congressman John Carter of Texas.

During his time in the U.S. House of Representatives, Congressman Bishop has worked hard for programs and policies that invest in servicemembers, veterans, and military families. This includes military child support and educational programs, military spouse employment, military housing, support for caregivers and survivors, and strengthened resources for Guard and Reserve units that play critical roles in both national defense and disaster response efforts across Georgia.

As a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee, Congressman Bishop has helped secure funding to improve readiness, modernization, and ensure that servicemembers, especially those stationed or training in Georgia, have what they need to succeed.

In 2009, Congressman Bishop co-founded the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus and continues to serve as the Democratic co-chair of the caucus. In this role, he co-hosts the annual Military Family Summit. This year’s summit was hosted in August at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia.

Working with the Republican co-chair of the caucus, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Congressman Bishop co-led the introduction of legislation to improve military housing as well as promote family stability by helping make moves in the line of duty less frequent and more efficient.

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PHOTO (top): Congressman Bishop receives the AUSA Legislator of the Year Award from AUSA President & CEO, Gen. (Ret.) Bob Brown.

PHOTO (bottom): Congressman Bishop and AUSA President & CEO, Gen. (Ret.) Bob Brown discuss AUSA’s work and Congressional Efforts to Improve America’s National Defense and Serve Military Families.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

Legislation would block Trump plans for “running” Venezuela and using American tax dollars to subsidize oil companies

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — During a House oversight hearing, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi today spoke in support of a Democratic effort to subpoena the Department of Homeland Security following the fatal shooting of a woman by an agent of Immigration and Customs Enforcement during a federal immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, underscoring the Committee’s responsibility to demand accountability when deadly force is used.

 Speaking in support of a motion offered by Rep. Ayanna Pressley, Krishnamoorthi urged the Committee to confront disturbing video footage showing a federal operation unfolding on a residential street where families live.

 “For those who haven’t had a chance to see this video, this video from Minnesota is deeply, deeply disturbing,” Krishnamoorthi said. “It shows a federal immigration enforcement operation on a residential street in south Minneapolis where families live. Agents move in on a civilian vehicle. Weapons are drawn. The car is boxed in. Shots are fired. A woman is struck and dies.”

 Krishnamoorthi emphasized that the footage itself raises serious concerns about the use of lethal force.

 “The footage does not show an unavoidable imminent threat or that lethal force was the only option,” he said. “From what can be seen, the woman was trying to drive away. That raises serious questions about judgment and deescalation.”

While the Committee ultimately rejected the motion to subpoena records and footage from the Department of Homeland Security, Krishnamoorthi characterized the effort as a necessary exercise of congressional oversight in response to the death of a civilian during a federal operation captured on video.

“A woman is dead. Her family now carries a permanent loss. This should never have happened,” he said. “When federal agents use deadly force, the burden of justification is extraordinarily high. Regardless of the mission, oversight requires sworn testimony.”

Krishnamoorthi made clear that he will continue pressing for accountability and for testimony under oath from the Department’s leadership.

“Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem must appear before this committee,” he said. “I will press to subpoena Secretary Noem and force a vote again and again until she explains on the record why a woman is dead following a federal operation captured on video in a residential neighborhood.”

He added that voluntary testimony would be the most direct path to transparency.

“If Secretary Noem has nothing to hide, she should have nothing to fear from testifying before this committee,” Krishnamoorthi said. “I hope she will come before this committee voluntarily.”

Concluding his remarks, Krishnamoorthi underscored the Committee’s obligation to act.

“This committee must do its duty,” he said.

Footage of Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s full remarks is here

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Legislation would provide 27 million Americans with a high-quality, affordable public option by cutting out insurance middlemen

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Yesterday, Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF) Co-Chairs Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA), in addition to Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), and Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL), led the BFF Steering Committee to introduce the bipartisan House Resolution (H.Res.981) establishing a clear fiscal goal: reducing the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) or lower. Known as the “3% Resolution,” this measure proves growing bipartisan agreement that Congress must adopt a concrete, achievable target to begin restoring fiscal discipline and confronting the nation’s escalating debt crisis.

With the federal deficit hovering around 6% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2025, national debt at historic levels, and other warning signs flashing across the economy, the 3% Resolution boldly calls out these facts and outlines a straightforward, no-nonsense framework for action to put the nation on a more sustainable fiscal path and protect future generations from severe economic consequences.

You can read the text here. The 3% Resolution is also cosponsored by the entire BFF Steering Committee: Reps. Ed Case (D-HI); Steve Womack (R-AR); Jimmy Panetta (D-CA); Erin Houchin (R-IN); Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA); Blake Moore (R-UT); Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA); Dusty Johnson (R-SD); Jared Golden (D-ME); Ron Estes (R-KS), as well as House Budget Chairman and BFF Co-Chair Emeritus Jodey Arrington (R-TX).

“The 3% Resolution demonstrates that Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle recognize not only the unsustainable trajectory of our national debt, but the urgency in which it needs to be addressed as well,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum. “This resolution sets a fiscal benchmark and emphasizes a disciplined budget process. Adopting this measure will help prioritize federal spending today while protecting the financial wellbeing of the next generation of Americans. This is not an aspirational target; it is the minimum standard necessary to preserve America’s long-term economic security.”

“Our country borrows nearly $2 trillion every year just to pay our expenses. As government borrowing grows, there will be less money available in the system to help San Diegans afford homes, invest in their businesses, or take out loans. We cannot let bad fiscal policy crowd out working families. In order to get America’s fiscal house in order, we need to clearly define what success looks like. If we reduce our annual borrowing to 3 percent of the total size of our economy, we will set a goal and benchmark we can look at every year to evaluate: are we doing better or worse than last year? I look forward to working with my colleagues to pass this resolution and make clear Congress is serious about getting our economy back on track,” said Congressman Scott Peters (D-CA), Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Fiscal Forum.

“We are on an unsustainable fiscal path, and the window to change course before risking a sovereign debt crisis is rapidly closing. But this challenge is still solvable—and setting a realistic fiscal target that has bipartisan buy-in is critical towards putting our nation back on stable footing,” said Congressman Smucker (R-PA). “This resolution builds on ongoing efforts in Congress to address the national debt by establishing a bipartisan benchmark for responsible fiscal governance. Reducing our budget deficit to 3 percent of GDP or less is an achievable goal that, if reached, would have a great impact on stabilizing our debt and growing our economy. Our debt is the greatest long-term threat to our nation, and fixing our fiscal trajectory is essential to securing America’s economy for generations to come.”

“Years of reckless budgeting have brought the national debt to an unsustainable level. If left unchecked, interest on the debt will crowd out spending on defense, health care, and every other government service,” said Congressman Mike Quigley (D-IL). “We must establish aggressive, realistic goals like a 3 percent deficit-to-GDP ratio to reign in our nation’s debt and ensure future generations are not handed a fiscal crisis.”

 

In addition to the entire BFF Steering Committee cosponsoring the legislation, the 3% Resolution gained significant support right out of the gate.

This resolution is a first step toward fixing our fiscal trajectory and will help build bipartisan consensus in favor of a sustainable budget framework. A fiscal goal should be aggressive enough to help fix the problem but realistic enough to be achievable, which is exactly what this resolution encourages. I am hopeful that this resolution will serve as a catalyst toward reducing deficits and I commend Representatives Huizenga (R-MI), Peters (D-CA), Smucker (R-PA) and Quigley (D-IL) for introducing it.  Policymakers should get to work on putting in place the necessary policies to get the national debt on a downward sustainable path, taking no options off the table. — Maya MacGuineas, President, Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget

Reining in the deficit is essential for protecting taxpayers and preserving economic opportunity. This bipartisan resolution by Reps. Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Scott Peters (D-CA) establishing a 3 percent deficit-to-GDP goal over five years provides a meaningful benchmark for getting our fiscal house in order. The best way to meet this target is for Congress to pursue thoughtful, long-term spending reforms and tax policies that encourage investment, work, and innovation. The resolution also gives the Congressional Budget Office an important role in assessing how major legislation would affect progress toward meeting these deficit-reduction goals, helping to keep lawmakers on track. — Demian Brady, Vice President of Research, National Taxpayers Union Foundation  

The United States is adding debt faster than ever due to a fundamental, structural imbalance between spending and revenue in our budget.  This bipartisan resolution not only recognizes the urgency of taking action on fiscal solutions, it outlines a critically important budget process for setting a meaningful fiscal target that would put us on a much stronger and more sustainable path for the future. — Brett Loper, Executive Director, Peterson Solutions Fund

The House is right to rally around a 3 percent deficit target. It isn’t a moonshot; it’s the minimum viable level of protection a modern economy needs to avoid drifting into a debt crisis. Getting back under 3 percent isn’t fiscal heroism but merely the price of keeping optionality, stability, and control in our own hands. Still, in an environment where leadership continues to duck the issue, we congratulate Reps. Huizenga, Peters, Smucker, and Quigley and thank them for their leadership. — William Glass, Policy Director, Millennial Debt Foundation

The nation’s large and growing debt hurts everyday Americans — driving up costs for families and weighing down future growth. By rallying around a 3%-of-GDP deficit target, Representatives Peters, Huizenga, Smucker, and Quigley are charting a bipartisan path toward a brighter economic future. BPC Action urges Congress to get serious about our unsustainable debt and adopt this goal. — Michele Stockwell, President, BPC Action

Only Congress can fix federal finances. That’s why it’s good to see an emerging new framework from Representatives Huizenga, Peters, Smucker, and Quigley: reduce the deficit to 3 percent of GDP through an effective congressional budget process with credible backstops. Building consensus on the goals can open the door to serious conversations about how to get there. — Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Votes for Three Funding Bills

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar supported the fiscal year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment appropriations bills. The bills passed the House with a bipartisan 397-28 vote. 

“These bills fund important programs that are crucial to Michigan families. They increase funding to fight the fentanyl crisis, protect the Great Lakes, combat online scams, and invest in STEM education,” said Moolenaar. “They also fund the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to continue construction of the Soo Locks, and maintain our harbors.”

The bills include: 

• $369 million for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative.
• $5 million for the Great Lakes Authority.
• $10.44 billion for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
• $2.81 billion for the Drug Enforcement Administration.
• $2.25 billion for State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance including $420 million for the Anti-Opioid and Substance Abuse Initiative.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

Following Senate passage, President Donald Trump will sign Chairman Fleischmann’s bill into law

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Votes for American Energy Dominance, Increased Hanford Funding

Press Release 
For Immediate Release: January 8, 2026
Contact: Matt Reed, (202) 713-7750 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon House passage of H.R. 6938, the conferenced Energy and Water Development, Interior and Environment, and Commerce, Justice, and Science Appropriations Act of 2026.  

“As a member of the House Appropriations Committee, my immediate focus in the new year is passing our remaining government funding legislation and avoiding another costly shutdown,” said Rep. Newhouse. “This package gets us closer to that goal, with half of the bills having now been passed by the House. We worked hard over the last year crafting common-sense, conservative policies that rein in bloated spending, refocus taxpayer dollars on programs that support the federal government’s responsibilities, and bring home millions of dollars to Central Washington for essential projects.” 

“I thank Chairman Cole and the Subcommittee Chairs for their leadership in getting this legislation across the finish line, and I urge the Senate to act swiftly and send this package to the President’s desk.” 

Rep. Newhouse secured the following funding for projects in Central Washington. 

City of Oroville for Water System Improvement Project 

Amount: $1,400,000 

Project Description: The project will provide new water pipes that ensure safe and reliable water transmission to service the “North End” of the City’s water system. The City’s plan is to replace existing, undersized transmission mains with 12-inch transmission mains along 20th from Main St. to Juniper St., and along Juniper St. and Main St. from 20th St. to 23rd St. The project will also replace existing, undersized water transmission mains with 8-inch transmission mains along Deerpath Dr. from 21st St. to 23rd St., and along 23rd St from Deerpath Dr. to Westlake Ave.  

City of Othello for Regional Water Supply Project

Amount: $1,000,000 

Project Description: The City of Othello has developed an Aquifer Storage and Recovery (ASR) strategy to mitigate declining water levels in the Wanapum Basalt aquifer. The ASR method has proven to be effective, and the City has progressed to the stage of predesign. This project will assistance with the next phase of design to build a permanent solution that will result in a sustainable, reliable, environmentally responsible water supply plan for the Othello region.

Town of Winthrop for Water Source and Distribution System Improvements 

Amount: $1,500,000 

Project Description: The proposed project will improve the reliability of the Town of Winthrop’s water source and distribution system. Specifically, the project will rehabilitate Well #2 for regular use that includes a new pump, motor, piping, electrical/controls, generator backup, and well house. It will also help make repairs to the Town’s East Reservoir, including waterproofing, concrete repairs, and altitude valve replacement. 

ENERGY AND WATER DEVELOPMENT AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT 

The Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $57.300 billion, which is $766.4 million below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level. The defense portion of the allocation is $33.223 billion, and the non-defense portion of the allocation is $24.077 billion. The bill prioritizes funding for agencies and programs that safeguard U.S. national security, unleash American energy dominance, and advance economic competitiveness.

Key Takeaways 

America’s Nuclear Deterrent and National Security: Provides funding for the continued modernization of the nuclear weapons stockpile and infrastructure, to support the U.S. Navy’s nuclear fleet, and to reduce the danger of hostile nations or terrorist groups acquiring nuclear weapons.

American Energy Dominance and Bolstering the National Economy: Invests in mining production technologies for critical minerals extraction to reduce reliance on foreign sources, invests in small modular and advanced reactor demonstration projects, facilitates the efficient transport of goods along America’s ports and waterways, maintains funding for cybersecurity efforts to protect the grid, and increases investments in new baseload geothermal energy sources.

Bill Highlights  

Army Corps of Engineers: $10.4 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), which includes funding for operation and maintenance of the Lower Snake River Dams and USACE dams along the Columbia River. This also includes $3.5 billion for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund.

Hanford: $3.2 billion for Hanford cleanup activities, a $200 million increase from the previously enacted level. 

PNNL: 

• $8.4 billion for the Office of Science, which is $160 million above the enacted level. This account funds science activities within several national laboratories, including PNNL.
• $96 million for the Atmospheric Radiation Measurement user facility and $65 million for the Environmental and Molecular Sciences Laboratory.
• $2.37 billion for Defense Nuclear Nonproliferation (DNN).
• $2.9 billion for the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.

Yakima-Tieton Canal: Requires the Bureau of Reclamation to determine whether the current wildfire-damaged and landslide imperiled state of the Yakima-Tieron Main Canal is an emergency within 30 days of enactment. Should Reclamation determine it is an emergency within 30 days of enactment, funding shall be provided within 30 days of the determination to the work operator of the canal.

INTERIOR, ENVIRONMENT, AND RELATED AGENCIES ACT 

The Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $38.6 billion. The bill prioritizes unleashing American energy, ensuring access to public lands, promoting the reversal of harmful Biden-era rulemakings that have hamstrung farmers and industries, and rightsizing agency funding levels, including a $320 million reduction to the Environmental Protection Agency. The bill fully funds the Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) program, estimated at $550 million, and prioritizes funding for Tribes and Wildland Fire Management.  

Key Takeaways 

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:  

• Reducing our reliance on foreign countries by prioritizing reviews of domestic mining claims.
• Increasing funding for oil and gas development to unleash American energy.
• Ensures funding to support wildland firefighters pay to protect communities from catastrophic wildfires.
• Providing $570.06 million for Tribal Public Safety and Justice programs, which is a $14.5 million increase over the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level, to support Tribal law enforcement.
• Expanding upon the efforts created under the first Trump Administration through the DOI Opioid Reduction Task Force to disrupt the illegal narcotics trade and address the opioid crisis, a program that had been eliminated by the Biden Administration.  
• Providing $18.5 million, an increase of $2 million above the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level, to support the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women program.
• Increasing funding for law enforcement to protect the public on lands within National Wildlife Refuges and the Bureau of Land Management.
• Increasing the funding available to respond to emergency situations in national parks.  

Champions American energy dominance and reduces regulatory burdens by: 

• Increasing funding for onshore oil and gas development at the Bureau of Land Management by $7.4 million.  
• Increasing funding for offshore conventional energy development by $11.2 million at the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
• Encouraging the Administration’s ongoing review of costly and burdensome Biden-era rulemakings that hinder manufacturing and energy development and prevent access to our public lands.  

Bill Highlights 

Department of the Interior: Provides $14.54 billion for the Department of the Interior.

• Bureau of Land Management: Provides $1.34 billion for the Bureau of Land 
  Management.
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service: Provides $1.65 billion for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
• National Park Service: Provides $3.27 billion for the National Park Service.

Environmental Protection Agency: Provides $8.816 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency, which is $320 million below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level.

U.S. Forest Service: Provides $8.61 billion for the U.S. Forest Service.

COMMERCE, JUSTICE, SCIENCE, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS ACT 

The Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act provide a total discretionary allocation of $78.011 billion. The bill provides a non-defense discretionary total of $71.407 billion and a defense discretionary total of $6.604 billion. This represents an over decrease of 1.2 percent compared to the total effective spending of the fiscal year 2025 enacted level. The bill aims to focus agencies on their core mission by directing funds to support the fight against fentanyl, boost funds for state and local law enforcement, and invest in efforts to counter the Communist Republic of China.

Key Takeaways 

Bolsters U.S. national security by: 

• Supporting the American research enterprise to counter China’s increasing investments in basic research and technology development, and investing in emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, quantum, and advanced manufacturing.
• Enhancing multi-agency efforts to combat transnational organized crime and reduce the availability of illicit drugs – particularly fentanyl – by increasing funding for the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by $63 million.

Boosts programs that support everyday Americans and reflect American values by: 

• Maintaining strong support for state and local law enforcement formula grants and DOJ grant funding for programs that assist law enforcement in addressing the opioid crisis, combat child exploitation, eliminate the rape kit backlog, and prevent school violence.
• Leveling the economic playing field for everyday Americans by increasing funding to the United States Trade Representative by 18 percent to hold other nations accountable for decades of unfair trade practices.
• Including longstanding riders that support the 2nd Amendment and pro-life polices. 

Bill Highlights 

Department of Commerce: Provides a discretionary total of $10.514 billion for the Department of Commerce, which is 1.2 percent below the FY25 enacted level.

Department of Justice: Provides a discretionary total of $37.049 billion for the Department of Justice, which is 0.4 percent above the FY25 enacted level.  

Science: Provides a discretionary total of $33.196 billion for Science, which is 2 percent below the FY25 enacted level. 

• National Aeronautics and Space Administration: Provides $24.438 billion for NASA, which is 1.6 percent below the FY25 enacted level.
• National Science Foundation: Provides $8.750 billion for NSF, which is 3.4 percent below the FY25 enacted level.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) announced the addition of Major Nate Horne to his Washington, D.C. office. Nate will serve as a defense fellow until the end of this year as part of the Department of War’s Congressional Fellowship Program.

By trade, Major Horne is a Finance and Comptroller Army Officer who has served as a Budget Officer at Army Central, Army Pacific, and U.S. Cyber Command.

In addition, Nate has received training, including completion of the Basic Officer Leadership Course and Captains Career Course at the Finance and Comptroller School at Ft. Jackson, SC, the Cold Weathers Leaders Course at the Northern Warfare Training Center in Alaska, and is a Certified Government Financial Manager and Certified Defense Financial Manager.

He received a bachelor’s degree in business management from Colorado Technical University and will complete a master’s degree in Legislative Affairs from George Washington University in May 2026.

“I am delighted to welcome Nate to my team and look forward to utilizing his knowledge and experience on defense related matters,” said Congressman Cole. “The Department of War’s Legislative Fellowship Program is a terrific way for him to sharpen his skills and learn the legislative process even more, and I am excited to see all that he learns and his growth throughout the year. I know he will serve the Fourth District well during his time in my office.”

“It is an honor and privilege to serve at this level,” said Major Horne. “I am excited to represent the Department of War and work with Representative Cole and his incredible team in advocating for everyone in Oklahoma’s Fourth District and their interests.”

About the Fellowship

The Department of War’s Legislative Fellowship Program is a highly competitive program for top performing select service members and civilian employees to provide them with an in-person legislative experience. The program is executed by the Assistant Secretary of War for Legislative Affairs, who coordinates with the military departments to determine office placement.

Chosen from numerous high performing applicants, fellows are vetted by their respective services, selecting those whom the departments feel would best represent the military to members of Congress and their staff. Eligible congressional offices are invited to apply for the program in August with a requested response in September and receive notification of selection November through December. Selected fellows begin their work in congressional offices for a period of no longer than one calendar year beginning each January.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) voted in favor of H.R. 6983, a three-bill funding package covering the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment appropriations measures for the fiscal year 2026. After voting in favor of the package, he released the following statement:

“In November, President Trump set the tone by signing our first three-bill appropriations package into law. Now, today, in the House of Representatives, we built on that momentum” said Congressman Cole. “This funding package provides funding for countless critical programs that assist Americans every single day, strengthens our national security, cuts spending, lowers costs on the taxpayers, and delivers critical community projects nationwide.”

“I am very proud of the difficult work that the entire Appropriations Committee, our Cardinals, and Republican Leadership has done to get this package passed today. The result of our hard work is clear – legislation that turns priorities into action and puts America first,” said Congressman Cole.

Key Provisions in the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

1. Increases funding to end the scourge of fentanyl and other illicit drugs.
2. Levels the economic playing field for everyday Americans by holding other nations accountable for decades of unfair trade practices.
3. Bolsters our national security by countering China’s increasing investments.
4. Maintains longstanding Second Amendment riders.
5. Maintains longstanding Hyde-like pro-life riders.
6. Supports state and local law enforcement.
7. Increases funding for the National Weather Service.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies

1. Champions America’s nuclear deterrent.
2. Prohibits the sale of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to the CCP.
3. Prohibits access to U.S. nuclear weapons production facilities by Chinese and Russian citizens.
4. Restores American energy dominance.
5. Strongly funds cybersecurity efforts that enable a resilient, reliable, and secure electric grid.
6. Eliminates Biden-era energy policies.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

1. Increases funding for oil and gas development to unleash American energy.
2. Ensures funding to support wildland firefighter pay.
3. Provides support for Tribal law enforcement.
4. Increases funding for onshore oil and gas development and offshore conventional energy development.
5. Exempts farmers and livestock producers from burdensome greenhouse gas permitting and reporting requirements.
6. Eliminates funding for Environmental Justice.
7. Protects access to public lands.

 

Oklahoma Priorities/ Congressman Cole Secured in the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act of 2026

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

1. $970,000 for Rapid DNA technology systems for the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office to process DNA evidence more efficiently.
2. Increased resources to Federal agencies for McGirt-related needs.
3. $1.351 billion for the National Weather Service, including the National Weather Center in Norman.
4. 5% set-aside within the Crime Victims’ Fund made available for Tribal victims of crime.
5. $4.5 million for Tribal Special Assistant U.S. Attorneys to prosecute federal crimes in Indian Country.
6. $14.5 million for Tribal Special Criminal Jurisdiction Reimbursement Program, which reimburses Tribal governments for non-tribal citizens committing violent crime on Tribal land.
7. $2 million for research on Violence Against Indian Women.
8. $20.9 million for Tornado Severe Storm Research, including the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory at OU.
9. $30 million for NOAA’s national observational weather network providing critical information required for improved weather prediction and warnings.
10. $1 million for increased staff capacity at the Southern Climate Impacts Planning Program at OU.
11. $94 million for Weather Labs and Cooperative Institutes, including the Cooperative Institute for Severe and High-Impact Weather Research and Operations (CIWRO) at OU.
12. $5 million in Office of Native American Business Development grants to native entities that provide business, financing, and technical assistance services to Tribes.
13. $20 million for the Tribal Colleges and Universities STEM program.
14. $105 million in grants for locating missing children, preventing child abduction, and provide technical training and assistance.
15. $175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program which supports the growth of small and mid-sized manufacturers through public-private partnership.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies

1. $75 million for the Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs.
2. $25 million to support research activities that lead to lower costs and increased deployment of distributed wind systems for rural homes, farms, and other applications.
3. $20 million for atmospheric and severe weather research centers to improve weather predications and strengthen the resiliency of energy and other critical infrastructure.
4. $10 million to establish a university-based methane monitoring data analytics center.
5. $9.3 million for the Department of Energy’s Risk Based Data Management System to explore the rapid development of new technologies that use solid propellant fuel to generate gas and that drive hydraulic systems to shut off unwanted flows or blow outs of oil or gas from onshore or offshore wells.
6. $6.3 million for the Tribal Energy Loan Guarantee Program.
7. $24.4 million for Operations and Maintenance of the McClellan-Kerr Arkansas River Navigation System.
8. $700,000 for a USACE national assessment and working group to carry out managed aquifer recharge projects.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

1. $66 million to support tribes impacted by the McGirt v. Oklahoma decision.
2. $5 million for Moore Public Works Authority Water Transmission Line Construction Project.
3. $8.05 billion for the Indian Health Service, including $33 million in increases and $5.3 billion in advance appropriations.
4. $570.059 million for Bureau of Indian Affairs Public Safety and Justice Programs.
5. $84.6 million for Indian Health Service professions.
6. $18.5 million for the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women Initiative.
7. $95.4 million for Urban Indian Health, which will help facilities, like the OKC Indian Clinic provide essential healthcare services to tribes.
8. Language prioritizing research funding and building maintenance for EPA labs specializing in groundwater research, such as the Robert S. Kerr Environmental Research Center.
9. $41 million for the Sewer Overflow and Stormwater Reuse Municipal Grants Program to help communities repair sewer and stormwater systems to upgrade them to better withstand future storms and natural disasters.
10. $12.5 million for the National Park Foundation, which has supported projects such as those at the Chickasaw National Recreation Area.
11. $49 million for the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund.
12. $2.6 million for National Land Remote Sensing Education, Outreach, and Research Grant.
13. $65 million for the National Endowment for the Humanities Federal and State Partnerships.
14. $30.7 million for non-profit organizations to provide technical assistance for improved water quality or safe drinking water, adequate wastewater to small systems, or individual private well owners.
15. $26 million for Grassroots Rural and Small Community Water Systems Assistance.
16. $1.8 million for Class VI regulator education and training programs.
17. $16 million for the Water Resources Research Act.
18. Protected and maintained funding for programs supporting tribes such as BIE Operations and Construction, Tribal Colleges and Universities, Indian Loan Guarantee Program, and Johnson O-Malley Assistance Grants.

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